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La Tuna Canyon, CA Experts in Container Rental, Sales & Customization

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Southwest Mobile Storage - Best Mobile Storage & Office Containers In La Tuna Canyon, CA

Southwest Mobile Storage is a family-owned shipping container business founded in 1995. Our strength for more than 25 years comes from the specialized knowledge and passion of our people, along with serving over 24,000 commercial, construction and residential customers. Our facility and expertise in maintaining, manufacturing, and delivering corrugated steel containers is unrivaled in the industry.

While the rental side of our business is regional with branches throughout the Southwest, our container sales and modification operations are nationwide and becoming global. La Tuna Canyon, CA offers a wide selection of portable offices and mobile storage containers you can rent, buy or modify.

Our experts in container rental, sales and customization are committed to providing you the highest quality and best experience from service to delivery - our reputation depends on it.

Whether your need is for storage, office space, moving, multi-purpose or custom use, we've got your back. Here's how:

Storage Containers La Tuna Canyon, CA
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NO MATTER YOUR NEED, WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK.

STORE AT YOUR LOCATION

We bring your storage container to you for convenient, easy access at your home, business or jobsite. Plus, you'll get more choice in storage space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of a pod or add on building, saving money and energy.

STORE AT OUR LOCATION

Not enough room to keep a storage container at your business, home or construction site? No problem - we can store it for you. Plus, you get 70% more space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of public storage units.

CUSTOM STORAGE

Need a permanent storage solution for your business, residence or construction? We sell new and used shipping containers in many sizes with a variety of add-ons. Or customize a container to your specific storage needs with our certified fabrication experts.

LOCAL MOVE

Take your time packing with our moving containers. We'll deliver to your business or home and pick it up whenever you're ready to move. So, you don't have to stress about moving or making multiple trips in one day, like if you rented a moving truck.

LONG-DISTANCE MOVE

Our moving container solutions ensure the long-distance move of your home or business is highly efficient and affordable throughout the southwest. In fact, we usually cost 20%-40% less than full-service movers.

MOVING & STORAGE

We understand move-in and move-out dates might be different. We can store your moving container at our highly secure facilities until you're ready to move to your new home or business location, and you can conveniently access it at any time.

OFFICE USE

Whether you need a workspace, conference room, or other office requirement, our ground-mounted mobile offices meet any and all of your business needs. Plus, it's faster and easier than building additions.

BUSINESS USE

If you need your shipping container to serve multiple uses, such as office-storage combos, breakrooms and even utilities, we've got you covered. We'll modify a custom container to fit your business needs and bring your business to the next level

CUSTOM USE

We'll create a custom container to fit your unique needs anywhere in the US. With our container modification expertise, we make any idea a reality. From pop-up stores to multi-story structures, our unrivaled facilities and fabrication experts do it all.

You'll get your own dedicated storage and container expert to serve as your one point of contact for easy, convenient service you can trust.
With our wide selection of intermodal containers for sale and rent, you'll find exactly what you need, from size, to type and condition.
We maintain our rental fleet to the highest standard - our integrity depends on it.
Our certified, experienced Conex container modification experts have more than 500 years combined experience modifying ISO containers.
All of our containers come with high security dual-locking system for no additional charge, so you can rest assured your stored items stay safe and that you don't have to pay extra for it.
icon-scale
At our unrivaled 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility, ensuring your custom shipping container is made exactly to your specifications.
With our level of service, quality and expertise, you won't find a better value anywhere else.
Our portable offices include lighting and electrical outlets, internet hookups, HVAC and were crafted by our in-house steel container fabrication experts for top-quality construction.

Premium Quality - High Security

With Southwest Mobile Storage, you get much more than a POD or typical Conex box. You also get high security, unparalleled service and unmatched container modification expertise and facilities. No other company offers that much.

Shipping containers and storage containers come in a range of sizes. The most common external lengths are 20ft and 40ft with a width of 8ft. ISO Containers are typically 8ft 6in tall, but high cube containers are 9ft 6in tall. We also have steel containers in a variety of sizes from 10ft long to 45ft long to rent or buy, and we can modify shipping containers into any size you want.

 Rent Storage Containers La Tuna Canyon, CA

SMS Mobile Storage Containers have these high quality features:

1/8" thick steel plate bottom side rails
High strength steel supporting cross members
1 1/8" thick hardwood floor with galvanized self-tapping screws
16-gauge corrugated steel walls
16-gauge roof
270-degree swing cargo door(s)
High security dual-locking system*
Spot-grinded, primed & repainted with a beige high-grade water reducible alkyd direct-to-metal enamel*
* Comes standard on all rental units

SMS portable workspace containers have these structural features:

High security window bars, lever & deadbolt set with lock box
Studs & R-19 Insulation covered with wood paneling
1 1/8" marine board floor is covered with a durable single part gray epoxy coating
Dual pane low-E horizontal sliding windows with screens and miniblinds
18 Gauge steel polystyrene core 3-hour fire rated personnel door
All of our workspaces are manufactured in-house and arrive new or restored to factory specifications
Exterior load center operating on 100 Amp single phase 230 Volt power
Light switch, receptacles and 4' light fixtures; all wiring is Romex 12/2
CAT-6 voice and data lines with electrical junction box
HVAC units ranging from 1 ton to 2 ton on rentals; ability to customize up to 10 tons of cooling

Having flexible storage containers options is important, but security is crucial to protect your peace of mind and your possessions.

At Southwest Mobile Storage, we don't believe in leaving things to chance. We want you to rest easy knowing your inventory, documents, tools, equipment and other items are safe 24/7. That is why we equip SMS high-security slide bolt locking systems and lockboxes on our entire fleet of rental freight containers.

EVERY ONE OF OUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR RENT IN La Tuna Canyon, CA, INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY MEASURES:

High-security slide-bolt locking system and extra-long lock box, giving you twice the security and peace of mind.
No holes to ensure your rental shipping container is wind and water-tight.
No rust for your safety.
14-gauge corrugated steel for strength and reinforcement.

Contact us to speak with a helpful, friendly representative to better understand our full range of capabilities. We are happy to answer any questions you have, go over pricing and set up a time and place to deliver your Conex box. Our quotes are 100% free and you are under no obligation to pay for your consultation.

COMMERCIAL STORAGE CONTAINERS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN La Tuna Canyon, CA

When you own a business or manage one, it's crucial to have efficient, affordable ways to store inventory and supplies, whether it's to grow your business or adapt to changes in the market, like the many caused by the pandemic.

Renting storage containers to keep at your business eliminates the cost and hassles of sending your staff to offsite storage facilities. Steel containers with roll up doors make storing and retrieving items faster and easier. Auto repair shops and other businesses that need easy access throughout the workday to secure storage for tools, parts, equipment or supplies find renting shipping containers to be the best solution for their business storage needs. Southwest Mobile Storage has your back.

 Storage Containers For Rent La Tuna Canyon, CA

Renting portable offices gives your business more workspace, breakrooms, pop up stores, security booths and more, without the cost and red tape associated with constructing building additions. Plus, a steel storage container fits neatly into one parking space and provides much stronger security than Pods and way more convenience than self-storage units.

If you have a specific need, we can modify shipping containers to build whatever you need to grow your business. Whether it's a portable workspace to run your business, like a pop-up container bar, or a durable facility for scientific research, like a container laboratory, or even a container gym, our unrivaled fabrication facility and modification experts got you covered. Our full-time, in-house staff of certified welders, engineers, electricians, carpenters and painters have over 500 years combined experience modifying thousands of container projects for just about any business use you can imagine.

WHETHER YOUR BUSINESS IS COMMERCIAL, HEALTHCARE, GOVERNMENT OR EDUCATION, OR YOUR INTEREST IS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY SHIPPING CONTAINERS, SMS HAS YOU COVERED:

One
Offsite storage alternatives cause a mess of hassles and headaches. Expanding office space and storage capacity at your location saves time, money and hassle of making multiple trips offsite.
We offer more choice in security, size and features in steel Conex boxes or ISO shipping containers than a public storage unit or Pod for less cost and far greater service.
We offer flexible, month-to-month rental agreements and prorate by the day after your first 28-day billing cycle.
With us, you get a dedicated account manager you can rely on, so you can focus on running your business than waste time with a different person every time you call that doesn't know or care as much.
While other companies may have some staff for modifying containers, most outsource the work, so you don't know who is actually doing the modifications or how much they're marking up the price.
 Mobile Storage Containers La Tuna Canyon, CA
When you modify a shipping container for your business, you won't have to worry about expensive, lengthy and complicated construction.
We have modified thousands of containers nationwide and internationally for more than 25 years for NASA, US Navy, GCP Applied Technologies, Helix and Sundt to name a few. And rent containers to Amazon, Walmart and many of other nationally recognized brands.
Our extensive staff makes it possible to custom build multiple projects simultaneously and our 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility prevents contaminants from interfering with fabrication, which delivers better quality and precision.

HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE US TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY A SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR YOUR HOME:

With an extensive in-house staff and 90,000 sq ft container modification facility, we're able to deliver consistently high quality and work on multiple projects simultaneously for a fast turnaround.

Other companies don't have the facility, staff or resources to modify shipping containers and will outsource the work to various shops who may not have the special experience or tools needed to modify the right way.

You can rest assured knowing your custom container is safe in our hands. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications through every step of the process.

Renting a moving container from us makes your move much less stressful because you won't have to rush to pack your whole house into a moving truck in one day. Instead, you can take your time packing over the course of a month.

Our ISO shipping containers are weatherproof and come with vault-like security, so you don't have to worry about theft or damage to your belongings.

You won't get that level of security from U-Haul or other moving truck companies.

Renting a storage container at your home keeps your belongings close and gives you convenient 24/7 access, so you're always able to retrieve the contents of your container when you need to.

We know move in and move out dates don't always line up. We can store your packed rental container at our secure facility until your new home is ready.

With our mobile storage containers for rent in La Tuna Canyon, CA, you can save up to 40% when compared to full-service long-distance movers, while gaining more flexibility in your schedule.

MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS & PORTABLE OFFICES TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN La Tuna Canyon, CA

We know your needs may change suddenly. With our extensive inventory and variety of sizes of portable offices and shipping containers to rent, buy or modify in La Tuna Canyon, CA, we provide fast service and the best value possible so it's easy for you to get whatever you need when you need it.

Renting storage containers and portable offices from us gives you more flexibility when it comes to your schedule and options. If you don't have enough space at your current location or simply would prefer offsite storage, you can keep your rental storage and office containers at your location or ours - whichever is most convenient for you. You also get more options to choose from when it comes to size and features, like portable offices with divided rooms for private meetings or office/storage combos for storage and office space in one container. All while costing a fraction of the price of a pod or self-storage facility.

You can also buy new or used freight containers from us and choose from a variety of add-ons, including lights, electricity, doors and windows. Or fully customize a shipping container to save time, money and energy by skipping the expensive, lengthy process of constructing building additions. We can modify a Conex box into whatever you can imagine for any use you need, from construction tool cribs to office buildings, monitoring stations, mobile communication towers and much more. The possibilities are endless.

HERE'S HOW WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK:

You'll never face hidden fees or surprises with us. We give you transparent billing up front at the best prices.

With us, you get a reliable, dedicated point of contact, who keeps you updated every step of the way. You can rest assured knowing you'll always get what you need, when you need it.

No other company has the breadth and depth of staff and experience that we do when it comes to modifying shipping containers. Our certified welders, engineers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters have more than 500 years of combined experience in fabricating custom steel containers.

We prorate your rent by the day after the first 28-day billing cycle, so you don't have to pay for a full month when you only have your mobile containers and offices for a few days.

While other companies may be able to do small container modifications, most don't have an in-house fabrication staff or 90,000 sq ft fabrication facility like we do. As a result, they outsource the work on your custom container, so you don't know who's actually building it.

Rest assured knowing your modified shipping container will be built to the highest quality standards. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors check every step of the fabrication process to ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

Whether you're in need of a storage container for your commercial business, a portable office for your construction site, or a moving container for your home, our process is simple and straightforward.

Choose Your Container

Choose the mobile storage solution that works best for your needs. In this step, you will let us know the number of containers you need, their sizes and what types of doors to equip.

Choose Your Options

Let us know if you would like to add any of our rental options, like a folding table or shelving.

Choose Your Security

Choose from padlocks, puck locks and other enhanced security options. All of our storage containers come standard with dual-locking, vault-like security.

Choose Your Delivery Timeframe

You can expect standard delivery within 3-5 days of your order. If you need expedited delivery, we will do everything in our power to accommodate your needs.

Pick-Up Planning

Do you need to keep your shipping container at our location? Prefer to have our team deliver your packed container to a location of your choice? Let us know, and we'll be by your side to work out the logistics.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

1

DETERMINE DESTINATION

Let our team know where we should deliver your mobile storage container for rent in La Tuna Canyon, CA. Be sure to let us know if there are any special conditions that might prevent our drivers from entering your chosen destination. Before you schedule your delivery, let us know which direction you would like the doors of your container to face.

2

SCHEDULE DATE & TIME

Our drivers can deliver your storage container Monday-Friday, between the hours of 6AM and 2PM local time. Our two-hour delivery window is the most precise in the industry. If you desire another delivery time outside of our standard delivery options, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. As a courtesy, our driver will call you at least 30 minutes before they arrive at your drop-off destination.

3

PREPARE FOR YOUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINER DELIVERY

Before we deliver your Conex box, prepare your delivery area by ensuring that there are no low overhangs, arches, wires, trees or any other obstacles that could interfere with your delivery. It's a good idea to mark the space where you would like your steel container placed.

4

DELIVERY & SETUP

When our driver arrives, they will back our truck into the space where you would like your shipping container placed. Once we arrive, we will ensure that your container is delivered safely and securely. If placed on asphalt or pavement, we will use wood dunnage pads to make sure your ground surface is protected and the container is level.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MOBILE CONTAINERS TO Rent, Buy OR Modify IN La Tuna Canyon, CA?

Check out our FAQ page or reach out to our helpful customer service team today @

909.948.7700

Latest News in La Tuna Canyon, CA

Los Angeles wildfire: Firefighters battle biggest blaze in city's history

North AmericaMore than a thousand firefighters battling the largest wildfire in Los Angeles' history contended with erratic winds on Sunday,...

North America

More than a thousand firefighters battling the largest wildfire in Los Angeles' history contended with erratic winds on Sunday, but more moderate temperatures could help contain a blaze that has forced hundreds to evacuate their homes, officials said.

Source: AAP

The nearly 2400-hectare La Tuna Fire, named after the canyon area near the northern edge of Los Angeles where it erupted on Friday, has destroyed three homes and damaged one.

Authorities had evacuated more than 700 homes in a Los Angeles neighborhood and in nearby Burbank and Glendale.

The blaze in thick brush that has not burned in decades was slowly creeping down rugged hillsides toward houses and was only 10 percent contained by Sunday.

“Our priority is to put firefighters in a position to protect lives and property,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said at a news conference on Sunday. “There’s a lot of fuel out there left to burn.”

Source: LAFD

Temperatures in the area have hovered around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) in recent days. But the mercury is expected to ease to between 90 and 94 degrees in most of the area throughout Sunday.

“That is our number one concern,” Terrazas said. “Today and the rest of the week we believe that the weather will become more favorable.”

Fire officials offered the same estimate on the size of the fire as they did on Saturday night, but will update the number later in the day.

Wind speeds in the area were moving at 3 to 5 miles per hour with gusts up to 12 mph, Terrazas said.

“That can change in a moment’s notice and the winds can accelerate very quickly,” he added.

On Saturday night, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti declared an emergency, ordering “all available resources” deployed to protect residents and property. He said the fire was the largest in the city’s history in terms of acreage.

More than 1,000 firefighters from Los Angeles Fire Department and surrounding cities were fighting the blaze, with additional help from state and federal agencies.

Terrazas said at least two firefighters suffered minor heat-related injuries and illnesses.

The fire could make air unhealthy to breathe in parts of Los Angeles, the nation’s second-largest city, and nearby suburbs, the South Coast Air Quality Management District said in an advisory.

Burbank: La Tune wildfire blazes through Burbank, California on September 02, 2017 as forest fires continue to spread across the state. Source: AAP

More than 400 miles (644 km) to the north, the so-called Ponderosa Fire has burned nearly 4,000 acres, or about 1,618 hectares, and destroyed 32 homes in Butte County since it broke out on Tuesday, prompting evacuation orders to residents of some 500 homes. The blaze was 56 percent contained.

Largest wildfire in Los Angeles history forces hundreds to evacuate

Wildfire on edge of Los Angeles spreads after triggering evacuationsThe La Tuna wildfire rages in the Verdugo Mountains above Burbank, CA on September 2, 2017. (Photo by Paul Mounce/Getty Images)By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A wildfire on the northern edge of Los Angeles rapidly grew on Saturday into what the mayor called the largest blaze in the city's history, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of people and the closure of a major highway. The 5,000-acre (2,023-hectare) La Tuna Fire, named after the canyon a...

Wildfire on edge of Los Angeles spreads after triggering evacuations

The La Tuna wildfire rages in the Verdugo Mountains above Burbank, CA on September 2, 2017. (Photo by Paul Mounce/Getty Images)

By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A wildfire on the northern edge of Los Angeles rapidly grew on Saturday into what the mayor called the largest blaze in the city's history, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of people and the closure of a major highway. The 5,000-acre (2,023-hectare) La Tuna Fire, named after the canyon area where it erupted on Friday, has led authorities to evacuate more than 700 homes in a north Los Angeles neighborhood and in nearby Burbank and Glendale, officials said. Authorities warned of erratic winds that could force them to widen the evacuation zone, after the fire destroyed one house in Los Angeles on Saturday. "Other than that, no loss of any property," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said at a news conference. "That is a pretty amazing thing." The fire was only 10 percent contained with more than 500 firefighters battling it. The blaze in thick brush that has not burned in decades was slowly creeping down a rugged hillside on Saturday toward houses, with temperatures in the area approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), the Los Angeles Fire Department said in an alert. "This fire, which broke out yesterday, we can now say is the largest fire in the history of L.A. city, in terms of its acreage," Garcetti told reporters. The fire could make air unhealthy to breathe in parts of Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest city, and nearby suburbs, the South Coast Air Quality Management District said in an advisory. Video posted online by local media showed the fire burning along the 210 Freeway when it broke out on Friday, with smoke hovering over the roadway as cars passed by flames a few dozen feet away. Officials quickly closed a stretch of the freeway. More than 400 miles (644 km) to the north, the so-called Ponderosa Fire has burned 3,880 acres, or about 1,570 hectares, and destroyed 30 homes in Butte County since it broke out on Tuesday. It prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders earlier this week to residents of some 500 homes. The blaze was 45 percent contained. California Governor Jerry Brown issued an emergency declaration on Friday to free up additional resources to battle the Ponderosa blaze. Wildfires in the U.S. West have burned more than 7.1 million acres (2.9 million hectares) since the beginning of the year, about 50 percent more than during the same time period in 2016, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles and Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Editing by Helen Popper and Mary Milliken)

Residents Worry, Keep Faith as Los Angeles Brushfire Burns Near Homes

Los Angeles firefighters on Saturday were battling a wildfire that has destroyed two homes and prompted evacuations, but the same erratic winds seen when the fire first broke out returned and posed a challenge, officials said.The so-called La Tuna Fire burning in Los Angeles and near Burbank, a city of more than 103,000 in the San Fernando Valley, had scorched an estimated 5,000 acres — fire officials said it is likely larger — and was 10 percent contained by Saturday afternoon."This is by acreage perhaps the l...

Los Angeles firefighters on Saturday were battling a wildfire that has destroyed two homes and prompted evacuations, but the same erratic winds seen when the fire first broke out returned and posed a challenge, officials said.

The so-called La Tuna Fire burning in Los Angeles and near Burbank, a city of more than 103,000 in the San Fernando Valley, had scorched an estimated 5,000 acres — fire officials said it is likely larger — and was 10 percent contained by Saturday afternoon.

"This is by acreage perhaps the largest fire we've ever experienced in the city of Los Angeles," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Saturday morning. There have been no deaths or firefighter injuries, officials said.

The fire broke out Friday afternoon north of the 210 freeway, and erratic winds helped it spread, officials said. By late that night mandatory evacuations had been ordered for parts of Burbank and the flames could be seen on hillsides from around the metropolitan area. Helicopters and fixed wind aircraft made water drops to battle the blaze.

Firefighters on Saturday found the same erratic winds that can quickly change direction that were experienced Friday, the Los Angeles fire chief said.

"We're very conscious of that, we're watching it, we're putting people in place to protect structures where needed," Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said.

Three structures, including two homes, have been destroyed in the Tujunga area of Los Angeles, Terrazas said. The structures destroyed had no brush clearance and they "were isolated into the foothills, very difficult for us to protect," he said.

Tracy Goldman’s Burbank neighborhood was within sight of the flames and smoke Saturday, but was not under an evacuation order.

"Honestly, it's my worst fear," Goldman said. "This is something I've talked about — we bought this house two and a half years ago, and spent so much time, you know, fixing it up, making it a dream home.”

"Just with the high temperatures these last couple of days, it's been on my mind," she said. "I'm constantly checking and then really could not believe the scope of what I was seeing."

Silvia Gezalyan and her 9-year-old son were evacuated ahead of the blaze.

"Sad. But I know my lord is going to stop the fire, I believe it," she said. "I'm a pastor and we're praying and that's why we’re here, so the fire will stop."

Garcetti declared a local emergency Saturday evening, and requested the governor declare an emergency so the city can receive state and federal assistance.

Earlier, the mayor sought to reassure residents that the fire was not as bad as the percent of containment may suggest. It had been 45 years since a fire occurred in the area, allowing for "plenty of fuel to burn,” he said.

"People hear 10 percent and they think it's 90 percent out of control — it is not. We have firefighters that are confining this as it goes," Garcetti said.

Officials ordered mandatory and voluntary evacuations for 300 homes in Burbank, 180 in Los Angeles and 250 in Glendale — with several other communities bracing for the same, Garcetti said.

Exacerbating relief efforts have been searingly hot temperatures and dangerous wind conditions that have blanketed the state for several days.

Much of California was under an extreme heat warning through the weekend with temperatures hitting almost triple digits in some places, according to the National Weather Service.

EARLIER: La Tuna Canyon wildfire threatens more than 200 homes in California

Sept. 2, 201701:08

Phil Helsel

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Steve Patterson

Steve Patterson is a correspondent in Los Angeles for NBC News.

La Tuna Canyon fire road leads to views of city, peaks, even the ocean

This popular route north of Burbank, more of a hike than a walk, is a steady climb into the Verdugo Mountains, punctuated by shortcuts up steep inclines. There’s very little shade here, so climb early in the day or on a cool day, and take plenty of water. Also, bring sturdy shoes with good soles — and strong legs.1. Begin from a parking lot on La Tuna Canyon Road, just south of its exit off the 210 Freeway. Walk up a slight incline on an old paved road, South La Tuna Canyon Road.Advertisement2. After about a ...

This popular route north of Burbank, more of a hike than a walk, is a steady climb into the Verdugo Mountains, punctuated by shortcuts up steep inclines. There’s very little shade here, so climb early in the day or on a cool day, and take plenty of water. Also, bring sturdy shoes with good soles — and strong legs.

1. Begin from a parking lot on La Tuna Canyon Road, just south of its exit off the 210 Freeway. Walk up a slight incline on an old paved road, South La Tuna Canyon Road.

Advertisement

2. After about a third of a mile, turn right and walk toward a sign reading “Hostetter.” This is officially Hostetter Fire Road.

3. In less than half a mile on the fire road, there’s a shortcut: a trail to the left that’s a very difficult 0.6 mile climb up a slippery, rocky slope. If you decide to take it, take it slow. Otherwise, bear right and stay on the main dirt road.

4. The climb is gentler this way, as the fire road hugs the hillside and does switchbacks along ravines filled with sycamore and oak. (“Tuna” means prickly pear cactus fruit in Spanish, but there is not actually a lot of cactus here.)

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5. After about 2½ miles, by a metal water tank, you’ll find the top of the shortcut trail. There are people who take the steep way down. This is not recommended. Instead, take in some scenery. The great San Gabriel Mountains rise before you, with Mt. Lukens straight ahead and Mt. Wilson over to the right. In the foreground are the communities of Tujunga, La Crescenta and Montrose, with Glendale and La Cañada over to the right.

MAP: Find the perfect L.A. Walk near you

6. The Hostetter Fire Road continues for some distance. If you walk about 20 minutes farther, to a T-intersection under a tall radio tower, you can see Glendale, downtown L.A. and, on a clear day, the ocean. Explore in that direction, or return to the parking area the way you came.

Fleming is the author of “Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles” and the upcoming “Secret Stairs East Bay: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Berkeley and Oakland.”

charles.fleming@latimes.com

MORE L.A. WALKS

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Solstice Canyon hike in Malibu takes in ruins of old estate

Break from the bustle of L.A. with a hike in Elyria Canyon Park

Los Angeles La Tuna Wildfire: Evacuations Ended as Crews Make Gains

Crews fighting Los Angeles' largest wildfire on record made major progess Sunday, allowing hundreds of people to return home.The so-called La Tuna fire was holding steady at about 5,865 acres in the San Fernando Valley, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. Mandatory evacuation orders that gad been in place for the cities of Glendale and Burbank and parts of Los Angeles were lifte...

Crews fighting Los Angeles' largest wildfire on record made major progess Sunday, allowing hundreds of people to return home.

The so-called La Tuna fire was holding steady at about 5,865 acres in the San Fernando Valley, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. Mandatory evacuation orders that gad been in place for the cities of Glendale and Burbank and parts of Los Angeles were lifted Sunday night.

Interstate 210, one of the major arteries through the traffic-choked Los Angeles area, was reopened in all directions as containment estimates jumped from about 10 percent to about 25 percent in just a few hours Sunday afternoon, fire officials said.

Earlier, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County.

The fire burned three homes and damaged another, Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said Sunday. Four firefighters were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, the fire department said.

Record-setting wildfire strikes California

Sept. 4, 201700:40

Terrazas said he expected cooler weather and possible showers to aid the more than 1,000 firefighters who were battling the blaze, although he cautioned at a news conference: "There is a lot of fuel out there left to burn."

The fire, which was threatening thousands of homes in Glendale, Burbank and Los Angeles, started Friday afternoon north of the 210 Freeway during a heat wave baking much of the state. Erratic winds helped it quickly spread. The Los Angeles Fire Department said Sunday that the cause was under investigation.

Residents described a restless night as they watched flames and smoke approaching from the valley's surrounding hillsides overnight Saturday. Giovanni Dal Monte, a Sun Valley resident, recalled just how close the fire was to his home.

"It came all the way down to the fence," Dal Monte told NBC Los Angeles.

Burbank resident Tracy Goldman, whose home sits at the base of the Verdugo Mountains, told NBC News on Saturday that she saw her worst fears materializing with the descending flames.

"Everything was on fire," she said Sunday. "This was like something I've never seen before."

But by Saturday afternoon, she said, a break in the brush helped the flames fizzle about 150 feet from her home.

"There was no vegetation left to burn," she said.

Tim Stelloh

Tim Stelloh is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.

Alex Johnson contributed.

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